When is the procedure indicated?
The examination is carried out if diseases and pathologies are suspected that may pose a serious danger to the patient. In most cases, barium X-ray of the stomach allows you to confirm or clarify the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
Suspicion of the formation of gastric and duodenal ulcers
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum (DPC) leads to the periodic appearance of ulcers. It can take years to develop and cause serious harm to health. Using a barium X-ray of the stomach, the specialist finds the ulcer and evaluates its size, shape and other parameters, as well as establishes the stage of the disease and detects accompanying symptoms.
Detection of a malignant process in an organ
If the development of a malignant process is suspected, an X-ray of the stomach with barium is recommended without fail, since the consequences of the disease can be deadly for the patient. In the photographs, the cancerous process looks like a defect in the mucous membrane. Often, after a barium X-ray of the stomach, an endoscopic examination is performed and a sample of the tumor is taken for laboratory testing.
Diverticulosis and other deformities of the gastric walls
To diagnose wall protrusion (diverticulosis), a barium X-ray of the stomach requires additional preparation. After administration of the contrast agent, the patient alternately lifts the upper and lower parts of the body so that the contrast fills the entire organ cavity. On a barium X-ray of the stomach, small diverticulosis looks like an ulcer, but has a horizontal level and a neck.
Any inflammation of the stomach
Foci of inflammation in the stomach can appear as a result of various processes. Including peptic ulcers or oncology. An X-ray of the stomach with barium allows you to find the source of inflammation and, based on indirect signs, determine its cause.
Swallowing dysfunctions
Dysphagia, or swallowing dysfunction, is often expressed by the patient complaining of the inability to swallow food and its accumulation in the esophagus. In this case, the patient cannot always accurately indicate the location of the obstacle. Therefore, barium radiography of the stomach is used to accurately localize the pathology.
Pain in the abdominal area or navel area
Pain in the navel and abdominal area may indicate the development of malignant processes in the stomach and duodenum. Therefore, with such symptoms, the specialist often refers the patient to an X-ray of the stomach and duodenum with barium.
What is barium used for?
X-ray examination of the esophagus with a contrast agent is an indicative and highly informative method of visualizing the condition of the walls of the organ. This examination method makes it possible with a high probability to identify pathologies in various parts of the esophagus, assess the stage and intensity of the disease and identify its localization.
On an empty stomach, the esophagus is a tube with collapsed walls and is poorly visualized on an x-ray. Data obtained with natural contrast of the esophagus do not allow us to reliably assess the condition of its walls and identify diseases of various localizations.
If there is air in the esophagus, only its contours appear unclear on the image. This is also not enough to make a correct diagnosis in many cases.
The most revealing x-ray method is an x-ray of the esophagus with contrast - a barium suspension. This substance delays x-rays and appears as a shadow on an x-ray. What does a barium x-ray of the esophagus show? This image is more revealing and provides more information compared to a conventional x-ray examination.
Barium follows the walls of the esophagus and creates the most indicative picture of the condition of the esophagus, therefore, when many diseases are suspected, experts prefer this diagnostic method.
It should be noted that the patient's intake of a thick suspension of barium sulfate makes it possible to leisurely examine various parts of the esophagus in various projections and positions. In this case, it is possible not only to perform fluoroscopy, but also to perform video magnetic recording.
What can be detected with radiography?
If a barium stomach x-ray is performed correctly and with proper patient preparation, the examination can provide enough comprehensive information to make a diagnosis in most cases. At the same time, to detect a particular disease, a specialist evaluates a number of parameters.
Gastric lumen disorders
Disturbances in the lumen of the stomach may indicate the development of a malignant process or diverticulosis. If the lumen of the stomach is narrowed on a barium X-ray, diffuse fibroplastic cancer is possible. With diverticulosis, on a barium X-ray of the stomach, the lumen appears larger than it should be normally.
Abnormal placement of the stomach
Gastroptosis (prolapse of the stomach) is often diagnosed with an abdominal wall hernia or diaphragmatic hernia. The disease is clearly visible using barium X-ray of the stomach.
Niche symptom
A niche is a shadow of a contrasting mass that fills a defect during an ulcer or the development of a malignant process. Depending on the location of the defect, an X-ray of the stomach with barium distinguishes between a contour and a relief niche. In the first case, the silhouette of the defect is visible from the full face, in the second - in profile.
The lack of filling is visible in the image as a dark area
A dark area on a barium x-ray of the stomach indicates that there is a place where the contrast could not reach. As a rule, this happens with atrophic gastritis or tumor.
Indications for X-ray examination with barium
There are a number of indications that require an X-ray examination of the esophagus with barium. If there are suspicions regarding the disease and diagnosis, this type of diagnosis can also be performed. We list some conditions in which it is recommended to take an X-ray of the esophagus with barium.
Swallowing disorders: feeling of retention of a bolus of food, pain when swallowing food
Various disturbances in the act of swallowing, the appearance of a lump in the throat, pain when swallowing food may indicate an obstacle to the natural flow of food during the act of swallowing. The cause of this pathological condition may be the presence of a foreign body in the esophagus, thickening of its walls, or the growth of neoplasms of various origins.
An X-ray of the esophagus with barium will clearly show the location of the obstruction in a certain part of the esophagus, and will also make it possible to assess its size and shape, which will help specialists in making a reliable diagnosis and selecting rational treatment.
Chest pain not associated with pathology of the respiratory system and cardiovascular system
If there is a history of pain in the chest and, with the help of differential diagnosis, it was found that they are in no way related to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, then it is possible to assume a pathology of the esophagus. Since the esophagus is located directly behind the trachea and descends all the way to the diaphragm and stomach, the cause of pain can very likely be localized there.
Diseases such as hiatal hernia, esophagitis and peptic ulcers can be accompanied by pain and are detected using contrast-enhanced radiography of the esophagus.
Repeated vomiting, heartburn, belching
If the clinical picture contains symptoms such as repeated heartburn, vomiting and belching, then this may indicate a violation of the motor function of the esophagus, as well as its anatomical sphincters or the presence of various pathologies of the walls. Thus, this symptomatology can occur with diverticula of the esophagus, dyskinesia and achalasia. All these diseases can be detected using a barium X-ray of the esophagus.
How should a patient prepare for the procedure?
Since the patient needs time to prepare for a barium stomach x-ray, it is best to start a few days before the examination. The first step is to exclude from the diet foods that cause increased peristalsis and gas formation. 8 hours before the examination you should completely abstain from food. To relax the stomach before the x-ray and prepare it for filling with barium, the doctor may recommend taking a special drug half an hour before the examination. Contrast is administered orally a few minutes before the procedure. When a double contrast examination is required, after the patient has prepared for a stomach x-ray and taken barium, he will need to drink a gas-forming mixture.
X-ray of the stomach
X-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum is a contrast study aimed at determining the presence or absence of pathology in the upper digestive tract, and in the presence of pathology, at clarifying the nature of the identified changes. X-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum is a completely safe, non-invasive procedure. Allergic reactions to contrast media are extremely rare due to the fact that barium sulfate is not absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood. The radiation dose received during the research using a modern digital device is extremely small and does not lead to the development of negative consequences.
The study is carried out in both vertical and horizontal positions of the patient (on the stomach, on the back, on the left and right side). In some cases, the study is carried out in the Trendelenburg position - on the back with the head end of the table lowered (up to -30 degrees). During the examination, the patient, at the command of the radiologist, takes a contrast agent - an aqueous suspension of barium sulfate. The contrast agent taken can range from a thick consistency to the consistency of liquid sour cream. The volume of accepted contrast is from 150 to 300 ml. Swallowing a contrasting suspension, which tastes like chalk, usually does not cause much difficulty. Indications for fluoroscopy of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum are the following clinical symptoms:
- Suspected gastroesophageal reflux.
- Abdominal pain.
- Discomfort in the epigastric region.
- Digestive disorder.
- Nausea.
- Vomit.
- Symptoms of bleeding from the upper digestive tract.
- Anemia.
- Weight loss.
X-ray of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum is informative for the following diseases and pathological conditions:
- Suspected or known gastritis or duodenitis.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Hiatal hernia.
- Varicose veins of the esophagus.
- Suspected perforation (usually a plain radiography of the abdominal cavity is sufficient; a contrast study is carried out with a water-soluble contrast agent).
- Tumors of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum.
- Symptoms of obstruction of the upper digestive tract.
- Examination before gastric surgery.
- Examination after operations on the upper digestive tract.
ATTENTION!
Research preparation required! To prepare for the study, you must abstain from food and liquids from 12 o'clock on the night before the study. On the morning of the test, you should not brush your teeth, smoke, or chew gum. On the morning of the test, you are allowed to take medications prescribed by your doctor (if any). The study is planned for the morning.
REMEMBER!
The quality of preparation affects the amount of information obtained and, as a consequence, the diagnostic value of the study.
When is x-ray prohibited?
An X-ray of the stomach with barium is a safe examination, but since it is done using ionizing radiation and a contrast agent, the method has a number of contraindications.
Hematopoietic disorders caused by pathological conditions of the bone marrow
Ionizing radiation can worsen the disease. Therefore, if hematopoiesis is disrupted, an X-ray of the stomach with barium is not performed.
Cataract
When X-raying the stomach with barium, the radiation dose does not exceed permissible limits. However, with cataracts, even a limited amount of ionizing radiation may be enough to have a negative effect on the condition of the lens.
Malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs
The examination is contraindicated if the patient is undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, even minor radiation can have a detrimental effect on the development of the fetus. Therefore, X-rays of the stomach with barium are contraindicated for expectant mothers.
Childhood (before the onset of puberty)
In childhood, the body reacts poorly to exposure to even small doses of ionizing radiation. Therefore, doctors refer children for an X-ray of the stomach with barium only if absolutely necessary.
Myth No. 6. X-rays are almost the same as radiation
Moreover, not only x-rays! Electromagnetic waves, heat, visible light, ultraviolet, radiation are all types of electromagnetic radiation. The wavelength of x-rays is between ultraviolet and gamma radiation. X-ray waves can cause cell damage. But ultraviolet waves are also capable of this - the same ones that provide tanning in a solarium. If you are sunburned, this is much more dangerous than annual fluorography. Sunburn greatly increases your risk of melanoma, one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer.
Any medicine can turn into poison - it all depends on the dose. Don’t be afraid of x-rays, come for an examination at ProfMedLab! Find out about the prices for x-rays or call us by phone +7 (495) 308-39-92.
TEXT: Natalya Meshcheryakova, ILLUSTRATION: Anya Iskhakova
